Ovulation calendars online - planning for pregnancy

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Keeping track of the changes to your body during your monthly cycle by creating an ovulation calendar is one of the best methods of improving your chances of conception and pregnancy. Each woman's menstrual cycle is different and you need to do a little record keeping to understand your own. Tracking your basal body temperature and charting changes to cervical mucus and cervical position will help pinpoint the all important date.

Basal body temperature (BBT) is a measure of your temperature immediately upon waking. You can use any thermometer to take the reading but always use the same one and measure the temperature in the same way. You should begin recording your temperature on the first day of your period. To get accurate readings you must take your temperature reading at the same time every day, even at weekends. Draw a line connecting each day's temperature on a chart and watch for a spike in temperature in mid month - this shows that ovulation has already occurred. Tracking readings for a few months will help you predict when you ovulate so that you can plan intercourse at the right time. However, tracking temperature changes in combination with changes to cervical mucus and position will give far more accurate results.

Cervical fluid is the mucus secreted from the cervix. The level of estrogen in your body determines the colour and consistency of the mucus. Just after a period there is very little cervical fluid secreted, after several days the fluid becomes thick, white and sticky but at this point you are still not fertile. When you become fertile the mucus begins to change to a creamy consistency and becomes totally clear when you are at your most fertile. Start recording the changes to cervical mucus on the first day after your period and it will help you pinpoint your ovulation date.

Cervical Position is the third indication you should use to create an ovulation calendar. At your most fertile time the cervical position rises and the opening enlarges and becomes softer. When the cervix is low, directly after a period, it can easily be reached with the fingertips. It will feel like a small slit that is firm to the touch. Just before ovulation estrogen causes your cervix to rise, at the highest point it will be difficult to reach but the opening will be much larger and it will feel much softer.

Tracing these three changes on an ovulation calendar will pinpoint the best time to conceive. Commercial products such as ovulation predictor kits help you track the changes by detecting the release of hormones that pre-empt ovulation. You can also purchase ovulation fertility software to keep track of your basal body temperature, cervical mucus and cervical position.

© The Pink Fridge Online Magazine 2008 - Ovulation Calendar